Marjorie Edenfeld
Although Marjorie Edenfeld's parents were Jewish, her family did not participate in Jewish life and did not celebrate Jewish holidays, and, in fact, began to associate with the Christian Science Church when Marjorie was young. When she was 15, her family moved from Brookline to Mamaroneck, New York for her father’s career, distribution of men’s neckwear. Although she had dreams of being a Broadway star, Marjorie eventually got a job at Filene’s during the “golden age of retail” where she worked her way up to the position of buyer. She remained at Filene’s for over 20 years from 1934-1956. She quit in her 40’s to adopt her son Johnny when he was an infant. While raising her son, she attempted to come back to Judaism and have a Jewish home. She joined Temple Israel and later became active in the Sisterhood. Later she got a job at the Jewish Recuperative Center where she worked from 1969-1982. She admitted now that since her son has grown, religion was not something that has a hold on her, but she remains a lifelong learner. Marjorie learned Hebrew and became a bat mitzvah at the age of 75 and continued to take classes in subjects that interested her. In many ways, Marjorie felt she was a late bloomer and accomplished things long after her peers had. Nevertheless, she remained grateful for each day that she has and for the people in her life.
Marjorie explains that she was a late bloomer and accomplished things long after her peers, such as motherhood in her forties and a bat mitzvah in her seventies. She talks about her childhood in Brookline, her brother who contracted polio when he was thirteen, and the anti-German sentiment she witnessed following the Second World War. Marjorie’s family joined the Christian Science Church, and she attended Sunday School, leading her to feel she was “non-Jewish.” She describes meeting her husband Felix, his family background, and their decision to join Temple Israel and raise their adopted son, Johnny, in the Jewish religion. Marjorie retired from Filene’s in order to prepare for adopting her son. She explains that taking care of her elderly mother and a dog was good preparation for motherhood. When her son was older, Marjorie worked briefly for a Jewish rabbi teaching at Boston College and became more involved in the Sisterhood and worked at the Jewish Recuperative Center. She admits that since her son has grown, religion is not something that has a hold on her, but she remains a lifelong learner. Throughout the interview, Marjorie reflects on her friendships, Jewish spirituality, growing older, and favorite memories from her career at Filene's during the "golden age of retail." She remains grateful for each day that she has and for the people in her life.
